Desford returned to winning ways with a fine 5–2 win over Shepshed Dynamo Reserves, climbing to third place in the Leicestershire Senior League Premier Division, just two points behind the leaders, writes Stewart Bint.

It was the third time this month that the sides had met, having played out a 0-0 draw in the league’s away tie, and Desford despatching Shepshed from the Senior County Cup.

In the early stages of what developed into a thrilling encounter, Shepshed were adept at snatching possession but wasteful with the opportunities it presented, while Desford appeared measured and controlled in passing their way out of trouble at the back, but pumped unproductive long balls forward in attack.

Until deep into the second half Desford could not accelerate away from their visitors. Adam Willett opened the scoring with an excellent opportunist lob on the quarter hour, but they were pegged back when Ryhs Penny converted a fine pass from Adam Ross.

Right on the stroke of half-time Shepshed keeper David Sloan repeated his mistake of straying from the goal-line, falling victim to another well-flighted lob – this time from Desford’s new signing Callem Lawrence.

Not long into the second period Shepshed were awarded the softest of penalties, which Adam Ross coolly slotted home to level for a second time.

Desford inched ahead again shortly after the hour mark, Arron Turned blasting in from the near post after Earl Murray helped the ball on its way to him.

This time they not only kept the lead, but could have extended it on several occasions - Jordan Small hitting the crossbar three times, and Murray being fouled while going for a rebound but failing to get a deserved penalty.

The hosts made sure of the points with 10 minutes remaining, courtesy of Simon Goodman’s blistering finish from Willett’s cross. And the icing on the cake came deep in stoppage time, Lawrence on the end of another Murray pass to secure the second of his debutant brace.